Effects of Shading Treatment on the Leaf Morphology, Structure and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Gynostemma pentaphyllum

The changes of leaf morphology, structure and photosynthetic characteristics of Gynostemma pentaphyllum under different shading treatment were studied through the experiment in the field and the basin containers. The results revealed that the leaf morphology, structure and photosynthetic characteristics of this plant cultivated in above two ways appeared similarity. The leaf morphology and structure were largely affected by light intensity. Under shading treatments, it presented shade leaf features with large size, dark green, thin thickness of leaf blade, palisade tissue and spongy tissue, and undeveloped vascular bundles compared with those under full sunlight. Meanwhile, the contents of chlorophyll and net photosynthetic rate under shading treatment were higher than those under full sunlight. Available data indicated that G. pentaphyllum is of sciophiles, and shading treatment benefited the growth and development of this plant.